2 | The day-to-day reality of the Revolution

The state of emergency and a new society

The measures taken by the National Convention had a very real impact on the day-to-day lives of the French people. From subjects of the King of France, they became citizens of the Republic, in a turbulent climate marred by riots, war and food shortages.

Between 1793 and 1794, daily life in France was turned upside down. This was particularly true in Paris, the capital of the Revolution, but also in the west of France, where civil war was raging, and on the borders, where there was a constant threat of foreign invasion. The sense of mistrust was unrelenting. The entire country was suffering from shortages and disastrous economic conditions. The Convention responded to this dire situation by recruiting soldiers en masse and by controlling prices and wages. Meanwhile, the Republican calendar was introduced in place of the Gregorian calendar, cathedrals were converted into Temples of Reason, and public education became compulsory.